The lateral radiograph is obliquely imaged.

​A joint effusion is present. 

​There is soft tissue edema/fullness overlying the olecranon process, overlying the lateral or medial epicondyles, or elsewhere about the elbow. 

​There is soft tissue laceration or radiopaque foreign body. 

​The anterior humeral line courses anterior or posterior to the middle third of the capitellar ossification center. 

​A line drawn down the center of the radius does not pass through the center of the capitellum on all imaging planes. 

​Ulnohumeral alignment is abnormal.

​The sequence of apophyseal ossification about the elbow is abnormal. 

​The secondary ossification centers are abnormal in size, shape, or position. 

​The physes are widened or irregular. 

​The proximal radius is fractured. 

​The coronoid process is fractured.

​The olecranon process is fractured. 

​The medial or lateral humeral condyles are fractured. 

​Based on the mechanism of visualized injuries, there are additional subtle abnormalities. 

​A marrow replacing osseous lesion is present.